Nectarine tree named ‘Nectafine’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, denominated ‘Nectafine’, has fruits of very long shelf life withour alteration before and after harvesting, a semi-sweet yellow flesh of high-eating quality and an attractive red skin. Fruits can be consumed crunchy or melting.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2008/0580 filed on Mar. 17, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Botanical classification:Prunus persica var. nucipersica.

Variety denomination: ‘Nectafine’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Prunus persica var. nucipersica yellow nectarine tree, which has been given the denomination ‘Nectafine’. This tree, named ‘Nectafine’, produces clingstone fruits of good eating quality for fresh market in middle to late September in the 66—Pyrénées-Orientales departement—France. Contrast is made to ‘Nectalady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,580), ‘Nectagala’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,581) and ‘Maillardou’ (Bonbon®) (non-patented) yellow nectarine trees, standard varieties, for reliable description. ‘Nectafine’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has an evenness of maturity, and produces regular fruits in large quantity and with a high productivity. It was chosen because of its hardiness and fruit lifetime before and after harvest, and because of its aromatic semi sweet taste.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘Nectafine’ nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the 66—Pyrénées-Orientales departement—France where it was tested. This place is under a Mediterranean climate in a temperate area characterized by irregular and low precipitation with drought in summer, high temperatures all year long. The ‘Nectafine’ variety was obtained by seedling. The male parent was ‘Nectagala’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,581) yellow nectarine tree and the female parent was ‘Maillardou’ (Bonbon®) (non-patented) yellow nectarine tree. ‘Nectafine’ was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, as 03.23.153 NJ and was registered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic on Nov. 14, 2007 under name ‘Nectalate’ and number 1024464. It was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ (non-patented) rootstock tree. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ (non-patented) rootstock on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree blooms in March at Perpignan in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. More particularly, it generally blooms between March 3^(th) and March15^(th), approximately 1 day before ‘Nectalady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,580).

The first fruit of ‘Nectafine’ ripens in middle to late September, approximately 12 days after ‘Nectalady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,580). More particularly, it approximately ripens between September 9^(th) and September 19^(th).

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a twig bearing two typical fruit specimens of the new variety and a third fruit cut in half, and leaves of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows a fruit cut in half with the pit left in one of the halves for depicting the fruit flesh, the pit cavity and the stone of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph with reverse and size views of flowers of the new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of the new variety.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition.

Trees are vigorous and of medium stature, half-standing in a semi-spread out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of the flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Flowering begins semi-early in springtime. The type of flower is showy with medium to large pink petals. Leaf glands are present and reniform. Time of maturity for consumption is late. The fruit flesh is yellow with red pigmentation around the stone cavity. Fruit skin color features an homogeneous bright red blush on 80% of the fruit skin surface. Fruit taste is semi-sweet.

The ‘Nectafine’ variety blooms approximately 1 day before ‘Nectalady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.17,580) and has only approximately 35 to 40 flowers per meter instead of about 45 to 50 for ‘Nectalady’. The first fruit of ‘Nectafine’ ripens 12 days after ‘Nectaladay’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,580). ‘Nectafine’ fruits are bigger than ‘Nectalady’ fruits although ‘Nectafine’ fruit skin blush only covers 80% of the fruit skin surface instead of 90 to 100% for ‘Nectalady’.

The new variety male parent, which is ‘Nectagala’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,581), comparatively ripens 1 month earlier than the new variety. It was chosen as a genitor because of the interesting size of its fruits, the very aromatic taste of its fruits and their conservation qualities.

The new variety female parent, which is ‘Maillardou’ (Bonbon®) (non-patented), comparatively ripens 12 days earlier than the new variety. ‘Maillardou’ produces fruits of medium size but very tasty, thus rendering this variety interesting as a genitor. ‘Maillardou’ trees also have more flowers than the new variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following was observed during the 2007 and 2008 growing seasons under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ (non-patented) tree. More particularly, observations relative to tree, trunk, branches, leaves and fruit were done in August 2007 and August 2008 on trees in their fourth and fifth growing season. Observations relative to flowers were done in March 2007 and March 2008 on trees in their fourth and fifth growing season. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

TREE

-   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year             was approximately 280 cm. The tree was pruned during each             following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 80 cm. The             tree size from the second year (second and next years)             reached a final height of 330 cm with current season shoots             length comprised. -   Spread: Approximately 150 to 200 cm with a cylindrical shape. The     whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization, with     tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a     same tree line. As a result, the orchard contains 2500 trees by     hectare. -   Vigour: Considered average to vigorous (Trees height ranges from 200     cm to 280 cm). -   Productivity: Very productive. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to     develop remaining fruit sinto the desired market sized fruit. The     number of fruits varies with the prevailing climatic conditions, and     cultural practices employed during the bloom period, and is     therefore not distinctive of the present variety. -   Bearer: Very regular. Trees have to be thinned every year. -   Form: The ‘Nectafine’ variety has naturally a semi-spread shape. -   Density: Considered dense. -   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The     variety appeared to be hardy under typical central     Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.     Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling requirement     comprised between 350 and 1200 hours showed a good behavior of the     tree in all cases. Ascertained temperatures as low as −12 degrees     Celsius caused no damages to the tree. The tree was also very     resistant to frosty springtime weather.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately between 8.0 and 9.5 cm in diameter when     measured at a distance of approximately 30 cm above the soil level. -   Bark texture: Considered rough. -   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present. The lenticels range in     size from approximately 0.3 to 0.6 cm in width, and from 0.14 to     0.27 cm in height. -   Lenticel color: The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey color     (varying from RHS Grey 201 D to RHS Black 202 D), whereas the inside     is considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166 B). -   Bark coloration: The bark has a silver-grey color (varying from RHS     Grey 201 C to RHS Black 202 C).

BRANCHES

-   Size: Mature branches are medium to thick for the variety and     current season shoots are of medium size. -   Diameter: Average as compared to other nectarine varieties. The     current season shoots have a diameter from 5.0 to 8.0 millimeters,     and branches of trees have a diameter comprised between 23.0 and     33.0 millimeters. -   Surface texture: Average, several years old wood has no furrowed     appearance. -   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, but the     crotch angles are generally between 60 and 70 degrees from the     horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is not considered     distinctive of the variety, however. -   Current season shoots:     -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous. -   Internode length: Generally 24.0 to 31.0 millimeters. -   Color of mature branches: Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A). -   Current seasons shoots:     -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered a light             yellow green (varying from RHS Yellow Green 144 A to RHS             Yellow Green 144 B) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas             the upper part is colored in orange brown (varying from RHS             Greyed Orange 173 B to RHS Greyed Orange 173 C.

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered large for the species. Leaf measurements have been     taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth at approximately     mid-shoot. The ratio leaf length/leaf width is between 3.6 and 3.8. -   Leaf length: Approximately 159 to 186 millimeters with petiole. -   Leaf width: Approximately 40 to 48 millimeters. -   Leaf base shape: Concave. -   Leaf form: Lanceolate. -   Leaf tip form: Small and acuminate. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark Green (RHS Green 137 A).         -   Lower surface.—Medium Green (RHS Green 137 B to 137 C). -   Leaf texture: Smooth and glabrous. -   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—Light yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 144 D to 144 C). -   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating. -   Form: Considered slightly dentate. -   Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last     case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one or two smaller     leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more). -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Size.—Considered of medium to long size.         -   Length.—Between 8.0 and 10.0 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 2.0 mm.         -   Color.—Light yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 144 D to 144 C). -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium, their length is about 1.5             millimeters.         -   Number.—2 to 4 glands can be found on the leaf, although 3             glands are most generally observed.         -   Type.—Reniform.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a             pale green (RHS Green 144 B). On older leaves, leaf glands             color turn to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to 199 B). -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 10.0             millimeters wide and approximately 20.0 millimeters long. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flowers buds, formed by sepals, is of purple-brown color             (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A); the corolla, formed by petals, is             generally of pale pink color (varying from RHS Red Purple 65             B to RHS Red Purple 69C). Petals color shows an evolution             until the end of flowering. The buds are considered hardy             under typical central Pyrénées-Orientales departement             climatic conditions. -   Hardiness: No winter injury was noted during the last several years     of evaluation in the central Pyrénées Orientales departement, with     winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The     current variety has not been intentionally subjected to drought or     heat stress, but the variety showed a very good resistance in     orchard to temperatures up to 42 degrees Celsius with an average     temperature between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in     summer. -   Date of bloom: Generally early March. The first bloom was observed     on Mar. 4, 2004. -   Blooming time: Considered of semi-early season in relative     comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the     Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full bloom is     observed on March, more particularly between March 3^(rd) and March     15^(th). The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions     and cultural practices. -   Duration of bloom: Approximately 12 days. This characteristic varies     slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. -   Flower type: The variety is considered to have showy type flowers. -   Flower size: Considered medium to large. Flower diameter at full     bloom is approximately between 34.0 to 38.0 millimeters. -   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant, about 35 to 40 flowers per     meter. -   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,     occasionally 1. -   Petal size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered medium for the species. -   Length: Generally about 19.0 millimeters. -   Width: Generally about 16.0 millimeters. -   Petal form: Rounded. -   Petal count: Nearly always 5. -   Petal texture: Smooth and glabrous. -   Petal color: Light Pink (RHS Red Purple 69 B to C) slightly     darkening with senescence. -   Fragrance: Slight. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form with a             slighty rounded extremity.         -   Length.—Approximately between 6.0 and 7.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately between 5.0 millimeters. -   Petal margins: Generally very slightly undulated. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices have a large dome-shaped form. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium-long and having an average length             of approximately 4.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—A medium brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 B to C). -   Floral nectaries:     -   -   Color.—A flat golden orange (approximately RHS Greyed Red             178 C to B). -   Calyx:     -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—The outer surface of the calyx is considered of             Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A) color. -   Sepals:     -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a fine pubescent             texture.         -   Size.—Generally medium.         -   Color.—A Brown Purple (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A). -   Average number of stamens per flower: About 40 stamens per flower. -   Anthers:     -   -   Generally.—Small to medium in length.         -   Color.—Red to orange-red color (approximately RHS Greyed             Purple 178 A). Anthers are becoming yellow at maturity. -   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color     (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to C). The present variety is     considered self fruitful (self-pollinating). -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 7.0 to 13.0             millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally             superior or equal to pistil's length. -   Color: Considered light to medium pink (varying from RHS Red Purple     62 C–D to Red Purple 73 A–B). -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Generally.—Medium in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 15.0 to 18.0 millimeters including the             ovary; Generally smaller or equal to filament's length.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (varying from RHS Yellow             Green 150 D Group to RHS Yellow Green 151 D Group).         -   Surface texture.—The variety has a glabrous pistil.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Very firm ripe condition (shipping ripe). -   Date of first picking: Sep. 13, 2004. The picking generally occurs     between September 9^(th) and September 19 ^(th). The date of harvest     varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. -   Date of last picking: Sep. 23, 2004. Only 2 harvests in 10 days were     necessary. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large, and uniform. -   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 78.0 millimeters. -   Average axial diameter: Approximately 76.0 millimeters. -   Typical weight: Approximately between 200.0 and 280.0 grams. This     characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing cultural     practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the     variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Round. The fruit is generally uniform in             symmetry, viewed from pistil end. -   Fruit suture: Very shallow and smooth, extending from the base to     the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the     suture line. -   Suture:     -   -   Color.—This has generally a color similar to the whole fruit             color, a bright red (RHS Red 53 A) on a Orange-Red             background (RHS Orange Red N 34 A). -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Smooth. -   Apex: Non-prominent, slightly depressed, very small. -   Base: Shallow. -   Stem cavity: Average depth of the stem cavity is about 1.0 cm.     Average width is about 2.2 cm. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and very             tenacious to the flesh to tenacious to the flesh depending             on stage of maturity.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed. -   Color:     -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is generally a bright red (RHS             Red 53 A) covering 80% of the fruit skin surface.         -   Ground color.—Orange-Red (RHS Orange Red N 34 A). -   Fruit stem: Medium in length, approximately 12.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 4.0 millimeters. -   Color: Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145A to 145 B). -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Very evenly, homogenous, long shelf-life of the             fruit.         -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, juicy at harvest maturity             stage.         -   Fibers.—No fibers.         -   Aroma.—Pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and aromatic.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally             superior to 13.0 degrees. Acidity is comprised between 6 and             9 meq/100 ml. The flavor is considered aromatic. The flesh             is juicy.         -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This             characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per             tree, the prevailing cultural practices and the surrounding             climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—Generally Yellow (RHS Yellow 13 C) with red             pigmentation around the stone (RHS Red 53 A).

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone. -   Size: Considered medium for the variety. -   Length: Approximately 35.0 millimeters. -   Width: Approximately 28.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 23.0 millimeters. -   Form: Elliptic. -   Base: Straight. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex has a small sharp tip. -   Stone cavity: Considered medium size, with an elliptic-form and     dimensions corresponding to stone's dimensions. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.             The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent             generally and present basally.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of             approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Grooved. -   Stone color: The dry stone is generally orange-brown (RHS Greyed     Orange 176 A) to red-brown (RHS Greyed Red 178 A). -   Tendency to split: Splitting is absent. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.         -   Length.—About 20.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—About 14.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—About 6.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered elliptic.         -   Pellicle.—Pubescent.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is a light yellow-orange (RHS Yellow             Orange 16 D). The almond is cream-white (RHS Orange Chite             159 D). The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of             fruit maturity. -   Use: The subject variety ‘Nectafine’ is considered to be a nectarine     tree of the late season of maturity, and which produces fruits that     are considered very firm, attractively colored. Fruits are excellent     for uncooked consumption, crunchy or at full maturity. Due to their     flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be commercialized     as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example).     And they are also useful for both local and very long distance     shipping. -   Keeping quality: Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than one week     on tree before harvest and then, has stored well more than 4 weeks     after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They have a slow maturation and     a long shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after     harvesting without alteration. -   Shipping quality: Considered very good. Fruits of the new nectarine     variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage after     being subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures. Its     resistance to handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf     life without alteration after harvest easily permit 3 to 4 weeks     shipping at 2 degrees Celsius. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. Under our climatic conditions, favourable to powdery     mildew, and with few treatments, the present variety has not been     shown to be very sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation     diseases and decay due to its thick and strong skin. No     bacteriostatic substances were applied, and no symptom was observed.     Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described     characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions     prevailing near the town of Elne, France, it should be understood     that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident     to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest     control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet yellow flesh of high eating quality and an attractive skin, with a very high percentage of red blush. 